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Remarkable performance by an 11 man Welsh team
michael james14 Sep - 12:11
Welsh show huge character against full strength Stamford side
Stamford OB 26 Rugby Welsh 3
The scoreline does not reflect the remarkable effort put in by a proud Rugby Welsh club on Saturday. Unavailability’s and injuries meant Welsh could not field a full side. Stamford declined the Welsh offer of playing the league fixture under game on rules, with their offer of help as a friendly game meaning that Welsh would have to travel the long distance to Lincolnshire without the chance of gaining any league points.
The eleven players, including two 17 year olds in the back line, took the brave decision to play a full strength 15 man Stamford side, under full league conditions, in front of a good sized crowd, celebrating the opening of their new excellent multi facility ground.
From the start the whole Welsh team played with spirit and endeavour, tackling strongly throughout. Stamford admitted afterwards that they did not use their huge player advantage to greater effect, being drawn in to a much tighter forward game. James Hughes -Woods and Alex Harris were at the heart of the battle with the experience of Matty Richards and Andy Higham proving invaluable. Youngster Charlie Kirby at scrumhalf performed admirably getting the ball away from set pieces well under immense pressure with Jack Taylor and Lloyd Pulford kicking well to relieve pressure.
Welsh nearly took the lead when Taylor intercepted a pass inside his own half with good cover defence preventing a score. Stamford did not take the lead until midway through the first half with an unconverted try and whilst they scored a second converted try Welsh deservedly opened their account with a well struck penalty from Kirby.
An injury to Harry Wray meant that for 20 minutes Welsh were reduced to 10 men, with Wray despite hobbling in the second half bravely returning to the field to help the team.
Stamford scored their third try shortly before half time but in the second half Welsh continued to put up stubborn resistance as their opposition became more frustrated and the game became more niggly. Stamford eventually gained their bonus point converted try but Welsh continued to tackle like trojans preventing further scores. Whilst on health and safety grounds the game was finished early Welsh had fully met the league requirements to successfully complete the game and the score line was remarkable given their playing numbers.
It was a superb effort by the 11 players who travelled the long way to Lincolnshire with the supporters who went and the rest of the club being very proud of them. Welsh have a week off now and hopefully their injury and availability list will have improved when the start the defence of the Warwickshire Vase on 27th September at home to Bedworth.
The scoreline does not reflect the remarkable effort put in by a proud Rugby Welsh club on Saturday. Unavailability’s and injuries meant Welsh could not field a full side. Stamford declined the Welsh offer of playing the league fixture under game on rules, with their offer of help as a friendly game meaning that Welsh would have to travel the long distance to Lincolnshire without the chance of gaining any league points.
The eleven players, including two 17 year olds in the back line, took the brave decision to play a full strength 15 man Stamford side, under full league conditions, in front of a good sized crowd, celebrating the opening of their new excellent multi facility ground.
From the start the whole Welsh team played with spirit and endeavour, tackling strongly throughout. Stamford admitted afterwards that they did not use their huge player advantage to greater effect, being drawn in to a much tighter forward game. James Hughes -Woods and Alex Harris were at the heart of the battle with the experience of Matty Richards and Andy Higham proving invaluable. Youngster Charlie Kirby at scrumhalf performed admirably getting the ball away from set pieces well under immense pressure with Jack Taylor and Lloyd Pulford kicking well to relieve pressure.
Welsh nearly took the lead when Taylor intercepted a pass inside his own half with good cover defence preventing a score. Stamford did not take the lead until midway through the first half with an unconverted try and whilst they scored a second converted try Welsh deservedly opened their account with a well struck penalty from Kirby.
An injury to Harry Wray meant that for 20 minutes Welsh were reduced to 10 men, with Wray despite hobbling in the second half bravely returning to the field to help the team.
Stamford scored their third try shortly before half time but in the second half Welsh continued to put up stubborn resistance as their opposition became more frustrated and the game became more niggly. Stamford eventually gained their bonus point converted try but Welsh continued to tackle like trojans preventing further scores. Whilst on health and safety grounds the game was finished early Welsh had fully met the league requirements to successfully complete the game and the score line was remarkable given their playing numbers.
It was a superb effort by the 11 players who travelled the long way to Lincolnshire with the supporters who went and the rest of the club being very proud of them. Welsh have a week off now and hopefully their injury and availability list will have improved when the start the defence of the Warwickshire Vase on 27th September at home to Bedworth.
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